The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 23, NATO reporting "Flogger, is a Soviet "swing-wing" aircraft, It was the first attempt by the Soviets to use look down/shoot down radar. It is also the first MiG to have air intakes placed at the side of the plane. Many variants have been made, with a total production of over 5000.
Variants[]
- Ye-230: First test aircraft, first flown on april 1967
- Ye-231 Flogger-A: First prottype with variable sweep wing, first flown on June 1967
- MiG-23S Flogger-B: First service capability variant
- MiG-23SM Flogger-B: compareable with MiG-23S, only with four additional pylons
- MiG-23M Flogger-B: first variant that has entered service, new avionics, engines
- MiG-23MR Flogger-B: MiG 23M variant
- MiG-23MS Flogger-E: export variant of the MiG-23M with MiG-21bis-Radar
- MiG-23MF Flogger-B: Another export derivative with not as many changes as on the MiG-23MS
- MiG-23ML Flogger-G: First Multirole derivative with more advanced radar, N-003 (Saphir-23ML), Prototype was the 23-12; look-down/shoot-down-ability
- MiG-23MLG: derivative of the MiG-23ML , Prototype was 23-37
- MiG-23MLS: another derivative of the MiG-23ML, prototype was 23-47
- MiG-23A: not produced carrier variant of the MiG-23ML
- MiG-23K: Not produced derivative with new engine ( R-100 ) and capable for aerial refueling
- MiG-23MLA: MiG-23ML derivative as a tactical fighter, prototype was 23-13
- MiG-23P: MiG-23ML Interceptor version, designed only for aerial combat with new radar, N-006 (Saphir-23PA); Prototype was 23-14
- MiG-23MLD Flogger-K: upgraded MiG-23ML with better aerodynamics, weaponsystems and new avionics, designed to be a multirole fighter, prototype was the 23-18
- MiG-23MLDG: not realised project, with electronic Warfare capabilities; called 23-57
- MiG-23B Flogger-F: Fighter bomber variant, based on MiG-23S, with better armor, new AL-21-F3 engine with 110 kN of thrust, prototype was the 32-24, it was first flown by Alexander Fetodow on February 1971
- MiG-23BN Flogger-H: Export version of the MiG-23B; prototype was the 32-23, with Tumanski-R-29B-300-engine, 624 had been produced
- MiG-23BM Flogger-F: Prototype of the MiG-27,called 32-25
- MiG-23BK Flogger-H: Prototype of the MiG-27K, called 32-26
- MiG-23U Flogger-C: Two seated trainer derivative
- MiG-23U Flogger-C: Armed trainer variant, prototype was the 23-51
- MiG-23UM Flogger-C: Trainer version, based on the MiG-23ML and MiG-23P
- MiG-23-98:
Trivia[]
Some MiG-23s were secretly test flown in the United States with cover designations. Known examples: MiG-23BN "Flogger-F", known as the YF-113B, and the MiG-23MS "Flogger-E", as the YF-113E. [1]
Details[]
- Length: 56.95 ft
- Wingspan: 45 ft
- Wing Area: 402.5 ft (wings spread) 367.71 ft (wings swept)
- Maximum Speed: Mach 2.32 (1,553 mph) at altitude, Mach 1.14 (840 mph) at sea level
- Rate of Climb: 240m/s